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Farm Aid Turns 25

This weekend a group of us are heading to Milwaukee to see the Farm Aid concert! I’m sure that most of you recall the first Farm Aid concert back in 1985, it was first organized by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land. – I can clearly remember watching it on TV with my sister and talking about it at soccer practice. – Well, they’ve continued on for the past 25 years (Dave Matthews joined them in 2001) and have raised over $37 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. A cause that has come to the forefront in recent years, they’ve been focusing on fostering connections between farmers and eaters by growing and strengthening local and regional markets and working to get family farm food in urban neighborhoods, grocery stores, restaurants, schools and other public institutions in addition to providing immediate and effective support services to farm families in crisis.

More than just an all-day celebration of music, it will also celebrate family farmers and good food. The concert will feature HOMEGROWN concessions—family farm-identified, local and organic foods.The Farm Aid Village will also showcase hands-on activities that give concertgoers a chance to meet farmers, learn how family farmers are growing good food, protecting our natural resources and connecting us to our roots. They’re also calling on concertgoers to bring non-perishable food items with them to the concert for a food drive that will benefit Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force.